Let me talk you into needing one of these.

You will not know how you lived without one of these after you've read this (if you don't have one already that is.  If I'm teaching you to suck eggs, then you may actually need another one....)

I have, in fact, had one sitting in my wardrobe for years and have worn it probably only a handful of times (ok so over the years more, but it definitely hasn't been worn that much)  And yet another that I have lived in since I got it last year in the sale.

And thinking about it now - I don't know why I haven't worn the former, more.  I have NO idea why.  The biker jacket thing.....no it hasn't played a regular role in my wardrobe repertoire but that I can get my head round. 

But today, I'm all about the blue shirt.  Cotton, chambray or denim, this is a must have for your wardrobe and I have two.  Denim = never worn.  Chambray = lived in.

Best thing about one of these is that you can wear it over black pleather leggings and not look like Meatloaf.  Which is something I've always struggled with, trying to team black pleather and an oversized white shirt.  I just look like I'm in need of Cher and that I'd do anything for love.  And if that's not a good enough reason to buy one immediately over a white shirt, I don't know what is.

So the one I have that I rarely wear is a fitted denim shirt.  Which I'm planning on doubling up as a jacket whilst on hols.  I am determined to make this work and it does in fact, seem like a total no brainer.  It will also be ideal to throw over a swimsuit (bikinis and the English beach don't quite work for me) and a vest with shorts.  They can be layered over a vest and jeans for days out if it's warm.  And layered under a blazer, a biker jacket or a jumper if the English Summer doesn't play ball.  Mine is in the suitcase.

This one for me is the perfect denim shirt - slightly faded, a little bit lived in, not too fitted but not oversized.  Thank you Gap.  (this isn't the one I have - I have an exceptionally old Zara number)

1969 denim western shirt from Gap £34.95




Moto Fitted Western Shirt £29 from Topshop. This one also fits the criteria of a pale blue/chambray coloured shirt and is slightly less full on denim looking.  The perfect cross between a denim and a chambray version.




Another fitted version from New Look - bargain in the sale. 

New Look Denim Shirt was £17.99 now £12.50



Now I think there's actually room in your wardrobe for two of these sorts of shirts.  I have the above, but I definitely have a boyfriend shaped hole in my wardrobe.  These work in exactly the same vein as above but just give a different silhouette.  Whilst I'm happy to take my fitted one away on holiday, for my A/W wardrobe, a looser shirt to wear over skinnies, pleather leggings and fitted capri pants will be a must.  

And the pale blue shade is just that little less worky than white (and never forget the lack of Meatloaf advantage)  Still as versatile though - I don't think there is anything that pale blue doesn't go with.  Looks great with black, navy, tan, white or khaki (admittedly that is the sum total of my extensively coloured wardrobe.....) 

Still some sale bargains to be had (lots of other things at Hush for 80% off but only for the next couple of days).

Boyfriend Shirt from Hush was £49 now £20



The Boyfriend Shirt from Boden £59 



I know there are lots of us who are pocket fans so this one might be a great addition to your wardrobe. 

Textured Blue Pocket Shirt from Banana Republic £55



This would have to be my bargain of the day though.  A lovely soft looking twill in 100% cotton. 

ASOS Soft Casual Shirt £28



Or this one would come a very close second if you don't mind 3/4 length sleeves.  Certainly offers the best reduction.  Actually who am I kidding - this is the best bargain.  It does look looser in other pics - this is a lovely loose fit.

Selected Femme Crispers Loose Fit Denim Shirt was £60 now £18




A gorgeous soft fluidity to this slouch shirt from ASOS - I love the detailing on the pockets wit the two tone effect.  It just lifts it from being a totally plain shirt whilst still managing to be minimalist.  A twist on a classic.  

ASOS Colour Block Denim Slouch Shirt £35




It might not be a classic shaped shirt that you want and I've spied an amazing one at M&S if you're looking for something boxier.  This would also work really well with high waisted skinny 70s style boot cuts for the A/W (or now....)

Pure Cotton Boxy Shirt from Limited Edition at M&S. £35




Slightly different but still perfect for those Summer days over a swimsuit and shorts.  But how fab with a pair of skinny flares?

Solid Tencel Tunic from Gap £39.95 in Ibiza Sea - and this comes in regular, tall and petite.  Gap seem to be offering most of their lines in tall now - an improvement season on season so definitely one to explore in more detail shortly. 



And with the last of the blue shirts, a slightly different one again from Mango.  Collarless and with a flecked print but still a great to wear, easy loose shape that would work all year round.  Plus a sales bargain to boot.  I'm not sure why they've stuffed the sleeves up round her elbows.... this really would be so much better in the flesh than here.  Maybe that's why it's such a bargain.

Flecked Cotton Shirt was £31.49 now £15.74



Finally finishing with a ringer, but I came across it online whilst looking for shirts and - yet again - this is something I haven't mastered but other people seem to wear with aplomb.  This one looks like a great option to take you through the rest of the Summer into A/W (wear with opaques and boots) - fab reduction.   I love the idea of wearing this with a jumper or sweatshirt over the top as well.  I am just kicking myself that I've only just found it and left it too late to click and collect from Waitrose.  DARN.

Karen Millen Soft Denim Dress was £130 now £65



And whilst we're off topic, I just have to report back on the super super bargain jacket from ASOS which I had on the biker blog the other day.  I recently have sent back a whole load of stuff from ASOS but this - well.  It's getting worn tomorrow (for the first time in forever I am sort of hoping it's not too warm.  This does mean that I will wish I had worn a bikini to travel in.  Well... ish...) as I am a little bit more than impressed with it.  For £22.50??!!



I am definitely going to keep it - a holiday treat and for that price, sod's law I will be wearing it all the time.  Would I prefer a leather one?  Hell yes.  Would I wear a leather one enough to justify ten times as much?  Meh.  Also, at the back of my mind, there is still a certain knitted cape cardigan thingymajig that I know I would get shed loads more wear out of.  So this is my nod to biker for a bargain price. 


Untitled

Outfit from today.  Trip to London cancelled - thank you dear tube strikers.  But had a lovely lovely day with my children - probably because I managed to bribe them all morning with a trip to the vets (oh the glamour) and McDonalds.   An afternoon of sorting out what we're taking on hols and catching up on all the episodes of Castle we've recorded (plus popcorn) meant that the day was remarkably unstressful. 

Untitled

Khaki jumpsuit - Topshop
Ponyskin mules - Anthropologie
Tan bag - Prada

So I have *almost* finished packing - ie I have laid everything out and hope that it will go into a bag.....I'll report back when I get there.  Actually it's all over the bed, so it has to go into a case otherwise we can't get into the bed.  Am I the only one who does that?  FORCES myself to pack? 

And fear not, there's wifi and as utterly insane as it sounds, my relaxing/switch off time is blogging.  Go figure.

Share this:

CONVERSATION

28 comentarios:

  1. Utterly adore the biker jacket! Can I ask about the sizing? Would you say true to size?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YES! I got a 10 and it's a perfect fit - I love the longer sleeves on the Tall sizing. I would assume the regular is the same?

      Delete
    2. Perfect, thank you x

      Delete
  2. I need that HUSH shirt Kat! V tempted x the jacket looks fabulous on you ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grab it, it's a bargain! and thank you..xxx

      Delete
  3. Noooo, I've just ordered another white shirt from M&S as the Boden boyfriend did absolutely nothing for me, sadly! However, now I really *need* a blue shirt too. The Femme & Hush are sold out in my size but I LOVE the Gap tencel tunic. I'm sure I have a code for them too on an email somewhere so thanks!
    Have a great holiday x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Gap one looks amazing doesn't it? And they do Tencel really really well. Although to be fair to Tencel, you can't help but do it well - the most amazing fabric. Like cotton velvet. That's pants though about the Boden shirt - It's on my wishlist but I'm definitely going for the blue. Can't beat Me+Em shirts in white for me but I don't do crisp white as I look like I've slept in them after 5 minutes.

      Delete
  4. Love your biker jacket!! Isn't it great when you take a chance on something online and it works out even better than expected? I also find moto jackets hard work (own an A/X one that I don't regret buying, yet never wear) but I recently bought a softer suede version from American Vintage in a similar style to yours that is so much easier to wear. I think I need the leather to be very soft (esp in the sleeves) to want to wear it, no matter how smart it looks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh lordy love it when that happens yes! And I think you've nailed it with the arms being soft. Otherwise it's that bulky feeling, which, ironically, you don't get with pleather! Is this jacket going to last forever? Nope. Can I not wait to wear it? Nope! I shall be sweating like a navvy in it today in the sunshine!!

      Delete
  5. I love a denim shirt. You are right it goes with everything and also looks great wrapped around your waist for a more casual look (especially when you start to get too hot - if you know what i mean!!). Lorraine x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bum, I used to have a chambray shirt with silver popper type things down the front...no damn clue where THAT went?? Obvs it annoyed me greatly at some point and got thrown out. Sigh. Keep looking at the Boden one but I think it would be too long on me? Have ordered a white linen one from M&S instead...I suffer from the big boobs/gaping buttons issue so we'll see how it sits!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. oh lordy good luck with that (have you tried Pepperberry??) and yes, you are so so not the only one who loses clothes. HOW does that happen?

      Delete
  7. I did that last year and hated everything I had by the end of 10 days! (we only went for two weeks although in my defence, it was supposed to be a week and we stayed on) I have NO idea how you've managed to pack for that long with 3.5 weeks LEFT! On the upside, think of all the gorgeous fashions you've got to come home to!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gorgeous, bargainous jacket!

    I have a long, dark, slightly checked chambray shirt that I bought in plumo sale a few years ago. It is one of those things I wear loads. In summer and in winter over heattech tops. I have bought a pale chambray peasant blouse which I am wearing loads this summer too. Definitely a good wardrobe staple!

    Tanya

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They sound amazing. You simply can't go wrong with chambray!

      Delete
  9. That ASOS jacket looked really shiny in your previous blog. Is it duller in real life? I love the shape of it but the shine kinda put me off.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's honestly not nearly as shiny as it looks in the pic x

      Delete
  10. That Karen Millen dress is a must, obviously accessorised with Ginny!
    I have one very similar that I bought in Promod (do we have them in the UK??) that cost next to nothing and wear it all the time.
    I have double wardrobe syndrome as I work 6 weeks in Sunny Baku and home for 2 weeks rotation.
    That dress is one of the few things that regularly goes in the suitcase if it is not on the Heathrow catwalk :)
    Deb x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my lord I can't imagine living somewhere else and having to have two wardrobes! Promod - no we don't have in the UK but you can order online I think. Love the idea of the Heathrow catwalk - too funny x

      Delete
  11. Hi the jacket looks so shiny on ASOS - is it in real life?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No! It's not totally dull but I would say it's very akin to the shine on normal leather x

      Delete
  12. What's the secret to holiday packing Kat?!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aha. See today's blog.... The secret is having click and collect at Waitrose wherever you go!

      Delete
  13. Thank you so much for posting that jacket. I have ordered :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So hope you like it - very pleased with mine x

      Delete
  14. Have a look at this beauty - needed cheering up after return from travels and nabbed it with 20% card from Elle
    http://www.asos.com//ASOS/ASOS-Denim-Pussybow-Shirt-In-Rich-Blue/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=5307816

    ReplyDelete